What are some computer science-related majors I should consider?

I'm a high school junior really interested in computer science, but I’ve heard there are various related majors that might offer different perspectives or career paths. What are some of these computer science-related majors, and how do they compare to a traditional computer science degree?

I'm considering majors that might have a bit of overlap with things like data science, software engineering, or perhaps even something interdisciplinary. I also want to pick a major with good job prospects after college. Any advice or recommendations on majors I should consider exploring would be super helpful!

Of course, there are numerous fields related to computer science that you could consider depending on your interests and the career path you'd like to follow. Here are a few:

1. Software Engineering: This major emphasizes the designing, building, and maintenance of software systems. The curriculum usually includes a blend of computer science, math, and engineering classes. While computer science typically focuses more on concepts and theory, software engineering is more applied and project-oriented.

2. Information Systems (IS)/Management Information Systems (MIS): These majors blend business and computing, covering subjects like database management, systems analysis, and IT project management. It might be a good fit if you're interested in tech but also wish to gain an understanding of business operations.

3. Data Science: This field combines elements of statistics, machine learning, and computer science to extract insights from complex and large-scale datasets. It's a rapidly growing field with solid job prospects.

4. Computer Engineering: This major is focused more on the hardware aspect of computers, like computer architecture, circuits, and microcontrollers. It often overlaps with electrical engineering and is more hardware-focused than a traditional computer science degree.

5. Cybersecurity: This major is for students interested in protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. It would lead to careers focused on security protocol development, encryption, and vulnerability assessment.

6. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: This emerging field is dedicated to creating systems capable of learning and improving from experience. It's a highly specialized field, and its job prospects are rapidly growing.

7. Bioinformatics or Computational Biology: These are interdisciplinary fields that combine computer science with biology and genetics. If you like CS but also like biology, this might be a great fit.

8. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): HCI focuses on the design and use of computer technology, with a focus on the interfaces between people and computers.

All of these majors provide good job prospects as the demand for tech professionals continues to increase. My suggestion would be to spend some time researching each one. See which classes you'd take, the types of projects you might work on, and the typical career paths for graduates. Our interests can evolve over time, and college is a great opportunity to explore, so keep an open mind and don't feel you have to have it all figured out right now.